NCEA | Newsfeed Collection

NCEA Newsfeed – Monday, June 18, 2012

The newsfeed includes articles and stories related to abuse of elders and adults with disabilities.  Articles related to elders appear in the top half of the newsfeed.  Articles related to abuse of adults with disabilities appear towards the bottom.  To subscribe to the NCEA listserv, please send an email with your name, occupation, your organization/agency name, city and state, and a statement about your professional interest or expertise in elder abuse to NCEA@UCI.edu.  Like us on Facebook!

Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed entries.

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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

1.         NATIONAL, AARP, June 18, 2012
White House Announces Coordinated Effort To Combat Elder Financial Abuse
http://blog.aarp.org/2012/06/18/white-house-announces-coordinated-effort-to-combat-elder-financial-abuse/
At a White House forum on elder abuse and financial exploitation, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said a $5.5 million grant under the Affordable Care Act will be used to create a federal elder justice coordination team, including officials from the Justice Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

2.         NATIONAL, Los Angeles Times, June 15, 2012
U.S. targets financial abuse of elderly
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-elderly-financial-abuse-20120615,0,46057.story
Federal regulators launched an investigation into the financial abuse of the elderly, citing a new report that advisors, planners, family members and others were ripping off seniors more than ever.

3.         NATIONAL, OC Metro, June 18, 2012
UCI, White House launch Ageless Alliance
http://www.ocmetro.com/t-Ageless-Alliance-launches-initiative-at-White-House-06-18-2012.aspx
Ageless Alliance: United Against Elder Abuse, a social justice movement established by UC Irvine, launched a national campaign at the White House June 14 to help spread awareness about the abuse, neglect and exploitation of elderly people.

4.         ALABAMA (Gadsden), TV24, June 15, 2012
Elder Abuse Awareness Day Summit
http://www.tv24.tv/news/?newsID=13252
The Etowah County Council on Aging and the HELP Coalition addressed that issue in a big way with an Elder Abuse Awareness Day Summit at the Senior Activities Center in Gadsden.

5.         CALIFORNIA (Oakland), Marin Journal, June 18, 2012
Alameda County judge’s arrest sparks shock; additional details emerge in elder abuse case
http://www.marinij.com/ci_20868472/alameda-county-judges-arrest-sparks-shock-additional-details
An Alameda County judge was recently arrested on charges of financial elder abuse and perjury.

6.         CALIFORNIA (Oakland), NBC Bay Area, June 15, 2012
East Bay Judge Charged with Elder Abuse
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/East-Bay-Judge-Charged-with-Financial-Elder-Abuse-159231295.html
An Alameda County judge was charged in a financial elder abuse case, authorities announced Thursday, after they say he stole thousands of dollars from his Berkeley neighbor, sold off her art, and used his garage to store his Thunderbird.

7.         CALIFORNIA (Orange County), OC Register, June 18, 2012
Elder abuse on rise: O.C. must do more to fight back
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/06/18/elder-abuse-on-rise-o-c-must-do-more-to-fight-back/156930/
In 2011, the county APS received 7,238 adult abuse reports, and 72 percent of the cases involved  seniors 65 or older.

8.         CALIFORNIA (Orange County), CBS Local, June 18, 2012
Report: Rate of OC Elder Abuse Skyrockets In ‘Perfect Storm’
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/06/18/report-rate-of-oc-elder-abuse-skyrockets-in-perfect-storm/
The number of reported incidents of elder abuse is on the rise in Orange County, according to a report released Monday. A grand jury report entitled “Elder Abuse: The Perfect Storm” (PDF) cited over 7,200 reports of adult abuse in 2011, with nearly 75 percent of cases involving seniors 65 or older.

9.         CALIFORNIA (Ventura County), Ventura County Star, June 17, 2012
Observing Elder Abuse Awareness Day
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jun/17/observing-elder-abuse-awareness-day-5541/
Ventura County Adult Protective Services and its many community and agency partners have actively worked to advance the study of elder abuse with the goal of developing tools to identify and ultimately prevent the mistreatment of elders.

10.       FLORIDA (Escambia County), WearTV, June 15, 2012
Elder abuse a growing concern in Northwest Florida
http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wear_vid_23085.shtml
The number of reported elder abuse cases has been released and it shows there are reasons to be concerned across Northwest Florida. Local experts tell us though, there are reasons to believe this trend could be turned around.

11.       GEORGIA (Augusta), Augusta Chronicle, June 15, 2012
Elder Rights Conference focuses on neglect and abuse
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/health/2012-06-15/elder-rights-conference-focuses-neglect-and-abuse
Bob Blancato, the national coordinator for the Elder Justice Coalition, was the keynote speaker at the fourth annual Elder Rights Conference organized by the CSRA Area Agency on Aging and the CSRA Elder Rights Team. The event coincided with World Elder Abuse Aware­ness Day.

12.       KANSAS (Topeka), Hutch News, June 18, 2012
Kansas welfare officials take on elder abuse
http://hutchnews.com/Localregional/BC-KS--Elder-Abuse-20120616-21-14-14
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Deputy Secretary Jim Kallinger announced Friday that the agency will increase training of social workers in elder abuse. SRS also is hiring four more adult protection services employees.

13.       MASSACHUSETTS (Boston), Boston.com, June 15, 2012
Video: Seniors flash mob West Roxbury store to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/west_roxbury/2012/06/video_seniors_flash_mob_west_r.html
In honor of the 7^th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, more than 25 seniors from Ethos’ AgeWell West Roxbury program, along with members of the nonprofit’s protective services staff, participated in a flash mob, singing and dancing to The Beatles “When I’m Sixty-Four” at the Roche Bros. grocery store Friday morning.

14.       MASSACHUSETTS (Pittsfield), Berkshire Eagle, June 16, 2012
Officials spotlight elder abuse
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_20870514/officials-spotlight-elder-abuse
With one of the highest percentage of senior citizens in the state, Berkshire County is particularly susceptible to the growing problem of elder abuse. On Friday, local and state officials gathered at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center on North Street to mark the seventh annual World Elder Abuse Day by describing local efforts to combat the issue.

15.       MINNESOTA (St. Paul), Echo Press, June 18, 2012
State takes steps against elder abuse
http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/95450/group/News/
Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman and Janet Golden from the Tubman Senior Rights Alliance joined in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day activities through their training, “Preventing Elderly Investment Fraud.” The training session is a continuation of the Commerce Department’s involvement in the ongoing Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation Prevention Program (EIFFE).

16.       NEVADA (Las Vegas), 8 News Now, June 15, 2012
Elder Abuse on the Rise in Nevada
http://www.8newsnow.com/story/18802586/elder-abuse-on-the-rise-in-nevada
Experts say financial abuse and fraud is getting worse among seniors in Nevada.

17.       NORTH CAROLINA (Ashe County), Jefferson Post, June 18, 2012
DSS works to end abuse of county’s elderly
http://www.jeffersonpost.com/view/full_story/19021278/article-DSS-works-to-end-abuse-of-county%E2%80%99s-elderly
On Monday, June 18, the Ashe County Department of Social Services wrapped up a campaign to educate residents about the abuse of the elderly, what it entails, and how it can be stopped.

18.       NORTH CAROLINA (Rowan County), Salisbury Post, June 15, 2012
Elder Abuse Awareness sheds light on mistreatment
http://www.salisburypost.com/News/061512-Elder-Abuse-Awareness-Day-qcd
Local and state officials reminded the public to watch for mistreatment of their older neighbors and loved ones — and even themselves. Friday marked the seventh annual observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which began in 2006 through the efforts of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

19.       OREGON (Salem), The Lund Report, June 14, 2012
On World Elder Abuse Day, advocates point out warning signs
http://www.thelundreport.org/resource/on_world_elder_abuse_day_advocates_point_out_warning_signs
Jerry Cohen, executive director of AARP Oregon, said for seniors living in community settings (either on their own or in adult foster care), financial exploitation is by far the most common form of elder abuse, where seniors living in care facilities are more likely to experience neglect.

20.       OREGON (Salem), Oregon Live, June 15, 2012
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day tries to shine light on mistreatment
http://www.oregonlive.com/news-network/index.ssf/2012/06/world_elder_abuse_day_tries_to.html
Investigators addressing elder abuse now have more tools to conduct their investigations due House Bill 4084, passed by the Legislature earlier this year. The bill allows abuse investigators easier access to seniors' financial records – which raised some concerns about seniors' privacy, though access is limited only to investigating agencies.

21.       SOUTH CAROLINA (Columbia), Post and Courier, June 16, 2012
SC Attorney General: Report elder abuse
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120616/PC16/120619238/sc-attorney-general-report-elder-abuse
South Carolina’s top prosecutor is urging people around the state to take a stand against cases of elder abuse. Attorney General Alan Wilson says people can take advantage of older people in many ways. He says cases of financial abuse cost older victims nearly $3 billion a year.

22.       UTAH (Salt Lake City), The Salt Lake Tribune, June 15, 2012
Efforts take aim at rising toll of elderly fraud in Utah, U.S.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/54307824-79/elderly-account-utah-abuse.html.csp
A study released last year estimated that elderly Utahns combined lose up to $1 million a day to financial abuse, with the perpetrators often the people seniors rely on most — their children and grandchildren.

23.       VERMONT (Montpelier), Vermont Digger, June 17, 2012
Disability Rights Vermont alleges state failed to protect elderly man
http://vtdigger.org/2012/06/17/disability-rights-vermont-alleges-state-failed-to-protect-elderly-man/
Disability Rights Vermont charges that the Vermont Adult Protective Services (APS) program failed to investigate allegations of abuse in a timely way, failed to provide adequate protective services, denied the elderly man access to emergency care and failed to substantiate clear neglect by a caregiver.

24.       VIRGINIA (Rockingham County), Go Dan River, June 17, 2012
County comes together to prevent elder abuse
http://www2.godanriver.com/news/2012/jun/17/county-comes-together-prevent-elder-abuse-ar-1992816/
Rockingham County held its second annual Elder Abuse Awareness Day conference Friday at the Salvation Army in Reidsville. Throughout the morning, seven speakers told tales of the horrors which go on within family homes as well as in residential care facilities.

25.       WEST VIRGINIA (Greenbrier County), WVNSTV.com, June 15, 2012
Greenbrier County Group Hosts Elder Abuse Awareness Luncheon
http://www.wvnstv.com/story/18801506/greenbrier-county-organization-hosts-elder-abuse-awareness-luncehon
Greenbrier County professionals came together Friday to recognize elder abuse awareness day. The Committee on Aging hosted an elder abuse awareness luncheon which featured a presentation from a Beckley pharmacist on drug abuse.

26.       WEST VIRGINIA (Raleigh County), WVNSTV.com, June 18, 2012
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
http://www.wvnstv.com/story/18817232/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day
"World Elder Abuse Awareness Day" was celebrated at the Raleigh County Commission's on Aging to help seniors know they aren't alone when being victims of abuse on Thursday. Last year alone 1,200 cases of elder abuse were reported in Raleigh County. More victims never get the justice they need or seek because abuse goes unreported.

27.       INTERNATIONAL (Queensland, Australia), Wyndham Weekly, June 17, 2012
Secret shame as elders abused by loved ones
http://www.wyndhamweekly.com.au/news/national/national/general/secret-shame-as-elders-abused-by-loved-ones/2592857.aspx
Senior social worker at the Caxton Legal Centre, Queensland’s longest running free legal advice service, Vivienne Campion, believes elder abuse is one of the nations’ last untouched social issues.

28.       INTERNATIONAL (Delhi, India), Deccan Herald, June 17, 2012
’30 pc elders face abuse in Delhi’
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/257750/30-pc-elders-face-abuse.html
At least 30 per cent senior citizens in Delhi face abuse in one form or another, a survey has claimed. What’s worse is that over 75 per cent of those facing abuse did not report the matter to police to protect family honor or for other reasons, said a survey by HelpAge India.

29.       INTERNATIONAL (Panaji, India), Times of India, June 18, 2012
Madhya Pradesh has highest number of elder abuse cases: Survey
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Madhya-Pradesh-has-highest-number-of-elder-abuse-cases-Survey/articleshow/14234051.cms
At least 31% of elders in India are abused by their relatives; the highest number of elder abused is traced in Madhya Pradesh with 77.12% while Rajasthan is the lowest at 1.67%. 40% elders are abuse because they are economically dependent.

30.       INTERNATIONAL (Maputo, Mozambique), AllAfrica, June 17, 2012
At Least 20 Elderly People Killed Over Witchcraft Allegations
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206170217.html
At least 20 elderly people were killed in Mozambique between 2010 and 2011 over witchcraft allegations, and many others were physically, sexually psychologically abused and deprived of food assistance. Chairperson of the Third Age Forum, Antonio Sitoe, said that witchcraft and other superstitious allegations are the leading causes behind the increasing cases of violence against elderly people across the country.

31.       INTERNATIONAL (London, United Kingdom), BBC, June 15, 2012
Elderly warned over pressure-selling by rogue firms
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18453895
The Insolvency Service said that in the three years to March it closed 78 rogue firms in England and Wales, which had scammed £28m from nearly 2,000 victims.

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Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):

·    National Survey on Abuse of People with Disabilities:  Add your knowledge and expertise regarding abuse and individuals with any type of disability across the  lifespan.  Take the survey then forward it widely, to help in the dissemination effort. Click here to take the survey.

●    26^th Annual Elder Rights Conference (July 11-13, 2012), Schaumburg, Illinois.  Presented by the Illinois Department on Aging. : http://cspl.uis.edu/ILLAPS/DOA/index.html

●    2012 Florida Conference on Aging (August 20-22, 2012).  Presented by The Florida Council on Aging  (FCOA) and the Florida Association of Aging Services Providers (FASP), in partnership with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA). The theme this year will be Aging: New Game – New Rules http://www.fcoa.org/FCOA%20Sponsor%20Brochure%202012%20FINAL.pdf

·         The Consumer Voice recently announced a brand new "Advocacy in Action" day of training, sharing and advocating, September 10, 2012 in Washington, DC and they will host our day of training in conjunction with the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) National Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference starting September 11th.

●    The 19th Annual New York State Adult Abuse Training Institute will be held October 2-4, 2012, Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Albany , New York . This year’s theme is Broken Trust: How to Recognize and Respond to Financial Exploitation. Oct 2 : Financial Exploitation Summit. More information: http://www.compassionandsupport.org/pdfs/news/10212-AATIConf.pdf

●    2012 NAPSA Conference: Ending Adult Abuse: On the Horizon? (October 16-18).  This event in Phoenix, Arizona will be followed by the 3rd Annual Elder Financial Exploitation Summit on October 19, 2012. Email info@apsnetwork.org for more information.

·         Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, 25th Annual National Summit, Enabling Caring Communities: Promoting Evidence-Based Programs Across the Lifespan, October 24-25, 2012, Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, GA  For more information go to : http://www.rosalynncarter.org/

·         California District Attorneys Association 2012 National Elder Abuse Symposium (December 4-7, 2012) Guest speakers to include Paul Greenwood, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney, Bob Nichols, Retired Marin County Deputy District Attorney, and many more. More information coming soon

 National Center on Elder Abuse

Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect

University of California, Irvine

Program in Geriatrics

101 The City Drive South

Orange, CA 92868

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